IN
ONE OF THE surprise results that so enliven the Kerrygold Grand
Prix League, 21 yr old Richie Moloney from Kilkenny walked away
with the top prize in today's much-anticipated Millstreet fixture.

Previously
anguishing near the very bottom of the league table, with just 4
points, Moloney said after his win: < I was heartened to see
it was a good strong track when I arrived. My horse needs big fences,
and this course was almost built for his talents. But I'm still
over the moon at winning.>

The
track was indeed strong enough to stop all but three of the 44 starters
going through to the second round, and Moloney found himself battling
it out with 21 yr old Louise Walsh and veteran international rider
Marion Hughes. But Appolonaire's liking for the big fences told
in the end, with a gap of over four seconds opening up between first
and second, while Hughes was dogged by time faults, lowered one
pole, and racked up an unfortunate seven penalties in her second-round
total.

Peter
Smyth was also in the running today with his Dublin Horse Show star
- the mare <Zara's Pride> - and although finishing fourth,
racked up enough points to narrow the gap with fellow-Ulsterman
Harry Marshall at the top of the League.

Marion
Hughes's points today also helped her to 10th place in the League,
and she will be a rider to watch in the weeks ahead, as she makes
a late bid for the trophy.